Grand Canyon Hike of 2006

Here is a picture of me hiking the Grand Canyon back in 2006. What a view!! I went with a old high school friend of mine, Brian. We had a lot of fun. As you can see, I need to learn how to pack lighter. It was a 48 ibs backpack.

Remembering Yellowstone

Today, I was going through some of my photos from my trip I took in 2003 after I got laid off. I took drove across america for 3 months just doing hiking and camping and one of the spot I had to stop at was Yellowstone, our official first National Park.
I took the following picture on a 35 mm camera and I just now converted it into a HDR photo. Very cool

Outdoor Resources link

Check this website link.
http://www.getoutdoors.com
This website you can learn some outdoor skills.

New PCT Atlas

Found a great site that provides you with PCT Atlas of every section. This is exactly what I have been looking for. Excellent site

http://www.pctatlas.com/

Does this not inspire you

Wow, what a picture. This is along the PCT

Other PCT Hiker's Journal

Here are some more hiker's journal blogs that I have found
Kirks
http://www.kirkshikingblog.com

This guy did C2C (Atlantic to Pacific) a couple of years ago. You read that correctly, he walked 7800 miles across the US.
http://www.andrewskurka.com/
Scatman
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=163276

Postcards Journal
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=179603

Scout and Frodos
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=5101

John's Blog
http://www.johnraux.com/

Side wedge blog
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=5157

Pace Trailjournal
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=5275

TeaTree
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=5135

Gesh
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=175286

Hitch and cabana boy
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=162299

A girl and her dog goes for a walk, a long, long walk
http://gopacha.org/Home_Page.php

Trail Guide for PCT link

Found some great info on PCT and some great links to the hike.
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/hiking/features/pct_bib.htm

Trail Forum for hiking
http://www.trailforums.com/

Free hiking topo maps
http://www.hikertrash.com/

Bearcant trail info
http://www.bearcant.org/

Kirk's Hiking blog
http://www.kirkshikingblog.com

SoCal water resources
http://www.4jeffrey.net/pct/

PCT Yogi hand book (very good)
http://www.pcthandbook.com/

What is PCT?

I have been asked to explain what is this thing that I want to do. First, I am not going to do this anytime in the near future, but will attempt to do this within 2 or 3 years. It is a trip of a lifetime for sure.

The Pacific Crest Trail winds it way for 2,658 miles through California, Oregon and Washington.
Beginning at the Mexican border, the trail passes through the sky islands and desert valleys of southern California, climbs into the majestic granite pinnacles of the Sierra Nevadas, swings briefly west into the Klamath Mountains, then follows the string of Cascadian volcanoes north to Canada.
It passes through more than two-dozen national forests, seven national parks and 33 wildernesses before reaching its northern terminus at the border of Manning Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada.

A Blistered kind of love Book

I just bought this book that chronicals a couple hike through the PCT.

Here is the review from Amazon.com

The 20-something Ballards alternate chapters to detail their 2,655-mile backpacking trek along the Pacific Crest Trail, starting at the U.S./Mexico border and ending in Canada. Angela, an advertising copywriter, is a novice hiker, while Duffy, a pre-med student, is more experienced. Inspired by William R. Gray's The Pacific Crest Trail, the Ballards spend eight months planning and set out; ahead lie three states, three national monuments, seven national parks, 24 national forests and 33 federally mandated wildernesses. They describe the journey's physical, emotional and logistical aspects, including their pre-trip planning, their family's reactions and what they learn about each other along the way. (They marry at trip's end.) The macho couple doesn't want to waste time enjoying the scenery or napping in the sun-their goal is to complete the entire trail, which they do in 132 days. Says Angela upon reaching central Oregon's Crater Lake, "I yearned to find a sheltered cove of grass where I could enjoy the sunset and subsequent sunrise over the lake, stare into the blueness and enjoy a warm mug of hot chocolate." Instead, as usual, "we were tugged by the call of miles." The recommended reading list and numerous practical tips on gear, trail food, first aid and terrain will be a boon to those attempting the Ballards' feat themselves. But less hardy souls may be discouraged from doing so. As the adventurers state in the epilogue, "our trail life wasn't all sunsets, starry nights and self development. Sweat, stench, gritty skin, and exhaustion killed many otherwise profound moments." Map.

http://www.amazon.com/Blistered-Kind-Love-Couples-Barbara/dp/0898869021

Happy Holidays

Check this out, Happy Holidays to All

Get your own at Gizmoz.com

More Pacific Crest Trail Links

I found some more great links on people who have hiked the PCT. I also went out to REI and found an actual book about a young couple who just got married and decided to hike the PCT. It took them 4 1/2 month.
Here are some great links to check out:
3 scientist decide to take the trek on PCT
http://beardquest.com/homepg.html
An awesome red haired chick who those ultra and have hiked PCT
http://catrapct.blogspot.com/
Resources for PCT
http://www.hikertrash.net/
Another blog of PCT
http://pct-hike.randsco.com/

Enjoy

Pacific Trail Hike Link

I found this very cool website that journals a couple who just got married and decided to do the PCT. The website is full of usefull and interesting info on hiking the PCT.

Check it out when you get a chance

http://pct-hike.randsco.com/

One day, I would love to do this hike. All I can do now is plan and dream about it.

The Venetian at Las Vegas in HDR

Ok, you will start seeing some really awesome picture on this site. I have recently discoverd a way to create High Dynamic Range (HDR) from my picutres. This one is from Las Vegas at the Venetian. Notice the prominent cloud formation and the rich color saturation.

Las Vegas Marathon 2007

Well, got the Vegas marathon done. It was not what I hoped for. It is my third and my worst one yet. The first 10 miles was pretty tough. I had to use the porta potty twice and had to wait a total of 25 minutes. After 10 miles I felt much better and started to kick it in a bit more. I made it in just 5 hours, but had a lot of energy at the end that I actually ran the last 2 miles in 8:45 pace. This tells me that I had way too much energy and did not pace very well.

At the end I never felt sore at all. I was walking normal and felt fine. I think it was the orthotics in my shoe that helped alot.

Taking a bit of a break from running to rest the old body

Remembering Alaska journey

Hello all, my first post on blogger. I am still trying to figure out the best way to post items here. THat is why it has been so slow moving.


I was just thinking about Alaska and decide to post one of my favorite pics from Alaska. Here I am getting ready to use the great outdoor as my personal porta potty.

The Brand New Blog is here

Yes, I am now on a new blog. I have decided to create a brand new, since wordpress has limited me to a few gigs. While google now has more space. Stay tune for more fun stuff on this site.